Surviving Christmas!!

This was actually the easiest, most fun Christmas I’ve had in years, we’re talking YEARS!! It was laid back, relaxed, no one was upset, no one was mad, there wasn’t extreme running around trying to get everyone everywhere and getting people mad b/c we were running late. If every year could be this easy, bring on Christmas (and yes it is my favorite holiday!). Aunt Connie had to work on Christmas Day this year (since she’s a doctor, we have to work around her schedule at times) so we celebrated with Aunt Connie & Brad, mom & dad, Prince Charming, Tbug & me on the night of the 23rd. I had to work the day of the 23rd so I made Prince Charming a deal, he got to go to my house and help my mom by being my replacement for the day. She had him wrapping presents, cooking, cleaning and I’m sure whatever else she needed help with, and he made Brad’s corn, compliments to the chef! By the end of the night there wasn’t much at all left. It was my grandma’s recipe and I was the only one who had it so I found it and that was the corn recipe for this Christmas. We also had baked Spaghetti (that Prince Charming & I worked on making the night before), garlic toast, and cheesecake, Plus some appetizer dips to start the night out. We were all stuffed by the end of the night. Tbug’s mom brought Tbug to me here at work when I got off so we buzzed home and pulled in right before Aunt Connie & Brad got there. The tradition at our house is to eat appetizers, open presents, eat dinner/dessert, and then play with all our new gifts (or try them on).

Merry Christmas Baby!

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Kansas City Christmas

Boy don’t you just love this time of the year?? It’s so festive and beautiful, all the lights and decorations and smells and spirits and the list goes on and on! Well my Grandpa’s sister lives in Shawnee Mission, KS (Kansas City); every year we head to Kansas City on the Sunday before Christmas to have lunch with them and just visit. This year’s trip was yesterday! I was so excited because Prince Charming & Tbug got to go with me. Unfortunately we had to take my car, I love my car and I’m not ready to get rid of it, but boy when the 3 of us go, it would be nice to have a bigger car. I can’t even steal my mom’s, she drives a 2 seater, definitely doesn’t work with 3 people however when you pop the trunk, it has a diagram that shows how to get 2 golf bags in the trunk… guess we know what age group they are targeting ;). Anyway we met at an Italian restaurant on the Kansas side of KC I believe. I can’t remember the name but boy was the food GOOD! Margie did a great job picking the place, but that’s only to be expected! After that we headed to Margie’s house in Mission Hills (instead of Aunt Sue’s this year). First time I’ve ever been in her house and boy was it beautiful! I absolutely loved her Christmas tree. It reminds me of a Charlie Brown type Christmas tree but it was absolutely gorgeous! This photo doesn’t do it justice!!! Prince Charming, Tbug & I headed over to the Plaza since we were so close and passed by this beautiful park. We just had to stop and take pictures! I loved it! We didn’t have my big camera because as usual, I forgot. I even set it out to take and walked off without it so we used Prince Charming’s point and shoot. It was chilly but hey we were in KC in December, what can you expect?? After that we did make it to the Plaza and walked around a bit. Then went back to Margie’s before heading home. On the way home we played an app called Would you Rather, (ie would you rather live in a cage of snakes or a cage of spiders, would you rather eat sand or clay, etc). It was fun and passed the time. Then we went by the light display by the Vietnamese in Carthage and then home. I think we were all pooped by the time we got home. I know I was in bed and probably asleep right after 9:30. Once I got home I had to call and talk to Prince Charming… LOL… I know I was with him all day but was just in a chatty mood but I couldn’t last any longer.
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Christmas Program

Last night Prince Charming and I went to Tbug’s School Christmas program. It was very interesting. It’s been a LONG time since I have been to a childs school program. I’m not completely sure what I thought but Tbug was one of the Narrators and she did an awesome job. I could hear her and she spoke clearly. I got a few photos. I’m extremely excited to start a scrap book of just her. I plan to do that after Christmas. I have been collecting photos of her from her different events. I know short sweet and to the point. Here are some photos to share 🙂

Ft. Worth or Bust!!

I was so excited about this last weekend. Finally, I took some vacation, and the family headed to Ft. Worth, Texas. I so needed the time off!! I think I’m starting to get antsy. To much time indoors because of cold weather. I hate cold weather. I really should move to Arizona or Hawaii or someplace warm! Anyway another story another time. Friday morning we headed for Ft. Worth to go watch the NCHA Championship Futurity. This is a yearly occurrence. Every couple of years my dad shows down there and usually, my uncle has a colt or 2, plus people that we show with on a consistent basis at the local shows participate. All 3-year-old babies who have never been shown in front of a judge compete. It usually starts around the week/weekend of Thanksgiving and lasts through around the second weekend in December. These babies go hardcore all the way through. Some have good moments and some have flaws, that’s just the name of the game. 2 1/2 minutes can make you or break you. Unfortunately, this year Squirt got sick in July/August and was on “bed rest” for almost a month so she got behind. Dad still worked her and trained her up until it got really cold outside in November and she just got better and better but we weren’t able to take her down to compete this year. He’s planning on working her this next spring and showing her at the local weekend shows. If she gets better, we may take her to some aged events. My uncle had 2 horses that he exhibited down there. He made it to the semi-finals of the Non-Pro with one and made it to the second go-round of the Non-Pro with the other. Aunt Connie and Brad were a little sad/disappointed but that’s the name of it all. You go, pay the judge for their opinion. You can like it or you can’t but in the end, they have the final say. This was Prince Charming’s first futurity to attend. He was like every other person at the end, gung-ho ready to go home and work work work.
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Project – Horse

So last week we postponed the word since Prince Charming and I were going to a “Horse” Showdown in Ft. Worth Texas. It only seemed appropriate to postpone Horse until then. It was a great show and when Michael Cooper marked a 226 we thought the show was won. I made the comment to Prince Charming, man that’s a hard score to follow, I wouldn’t want to do it, but sure enough the very next guy, Tom Piggot outdid Michael. Tom scored a 229. But the minute that Michael hit that score, that set the finals of the OPEN NCHA Cutting Futurity into an excellent show. Up until then, it was just okay. My uncle was in the Non-Pro and made it to the Semi-Finals. We were very proud of him! This was Prince Charming’s first time to go to the Futurity ever and I sure think and hope he had a wonderful time. Now it’s time to come home and get ready for Christmas! After the 1st of the year, the shows will start back up.

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Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas, We Wish you a Merry Christmas, We Wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!! *sigh* Finally I can sing that and no one is going to look at me like I’m crazy. Although this year it’s been funny because I refer back to that email I got with the Chihuahua’s where the male says come on honey, please. and she says, no not tonight. And he says but please baby. And she says no I’m not in the mood. and he says real quick and she goes ok fine make it fast and they sing “Wee Wee Choo a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year”. So I’ve been singing it more like that instead of normal. Oh well, you have to have fun in life or life is boring! I’m sure getting my fill of Christmas music too… 93.9 plays all Christmas music from Thanksgiving through Christmas and of course, my radio’s are all tuned to that station. I don’t think we get enough Christmas music!!

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A Story From My Childhood!!

Here is a story my father used to read me every Christmas and I never could understand why it made him cry every time he read it until I was older!! If you can make it through it let me know what you think!! I love this story!!

ANNIE AND WILLIE’S PRAYER

Twas the eve before Christmas. “Good night,” had been said,
And Annie and Willie had crept into bed;
There were tears on their pillows, and tears in their eyes,
And each little bosom was heaving with sighs,
For tonight their stern father’s command had been given
That they should retire precisely at seven
Instead of at eight – for they troubled him more
With questions unheard of than ever before:
He had told them he thought this delusion a sin,
No such creature as “Santa Claus” ever had been.
And he hoped, after this, he should never more hear
How he scrambled down chimneys with presents each year.
And this was the reason that two little heads
So restlessly tossed on their soft, downy beds.
Eight, nine, and the clock on the steeple tolled ten.
Not a word had been spoken by either till then,
When Willie’s sad face from the blanket did peep,
And he whispered,”Dear Annie, is ‘ou fast as’eep?”

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Project Postponed

Project is postponed… We are headed to Ft. Worth this coming weekend and figured since we were going to a huge horse show, the NCHA futurity, it would be better to save horse for then. This weekend we had Tbug. Friday night we went and visited the Racine Christian Church, they had a live outdoor Nativity walk. It was a lot of fun, just really cold. If we go next year we will wear insulated bibs and parkas :). Prince Charming’s mom went with us. Tbug got to pet a live camel. I think that really excited her. After that, we went home. It took us probably 2 hours of sitting just to be able to walk through. Saturday she spent the day with Memaw playing with the puppies that Cowgirl had until Memaw had to go to work. She then dropped her by our house. We wrapped presents, cleaned house and did chores, and then went to visit my grandparents. After that, we headed to Prince Charming’s sister, Liss, house. Tbug played with Dill Pickle and watched movies and we played rock band. We thought that we needed a new tradition of Christmas family photos. Prince Charming, Tbug and I got our photo. I really like how it turned out!

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Opinionated

*sigh* sometimes I wish I wasn’t so opinionated or at least I’d learn to keep my opinions to myself. I have no idea how I got so opinionated either. And a lot of times my opinions aren’t always in the happiest of thoughts either. Other times my opinions are taken like they should be but sometimes I just need to learn to keep my mouth shut. Oh joy a new task to add to my list that consists of Not Cussing (or at least cussing less), now not being so opinionated (or at least keeping my opinions to myself), guess those can be added to my list of jobs I need to learn how to do: lawyer, clothing designer, hair stylist, CEO, Doctor, Nurse, Mom, etc etc etc. I used to be extremely shy! To the point I couldn’t even say thank you to someone who did something for me or brought me something. Now I would say I’m reserved. There are times I’m afraid to say stuff and there are other times if you tick me off I’ll blurt out what I think. Isn’t it odd how our lives change?? Although there are times when you have to stand up for yourself and what you believe in too. Boy it’s such a fine line to walk. And then add in the times when you have to stand up for that person who is to shy to say something and they are getting taken advantage of, or better yet, people are putting them down behind their back so they aren’t allowed a chance to defend themselves.
All I want in life is to be a Good Christian person and love and family. Unfortunately I’m flawed just like everyone so we all make our mistakes. I guess it is how we learn and grow from those mistakes that make us who we are and make us a better (or I guess worse) person.
Ok this is all words and thoughts, we need to liven it up a bit :)… how about some beautiful photos of how I spent Thanksgiving afternoon with my sweetheart
Outside my aunt & uncle’s Barn

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It’s Raining, It’s Snowing

It’s raining, It’s Snowing, the old man is snoring, no wait that’s not how that goes. What was I thinking? Well, I was thinking that I just ran outside and it’s spitting snow. December 2nd and we are getting snow… YUCK! Oh well, it isn’t sticking, yet… Tonight is supposed to be 22 degrees. blach! I’m not the biggest fan of cold weather, that’s for sure! Last night Prince Charming and I went and saw the Joplin Christmas Parade. Tbug was in it with the Flip shop, although, when she went past us was just walking, no flips or anything, but she made up for it by running over and giving us a hug. I guess we can let it slide this time :). I tried to take some photos but I had my point and shoot and couldn’t get the flash to quit going off. I like my dSLR better for that! Oh well, I was mad when I got home b/c a piece on my car door broke so I never even thought to grab my big camera. I had my point and shoot in my purse. So at work, I usually only am able to get one radio station. Well this time of year there is another radio station that plays nothing but Christmas songs up until like noon on Christmas day, wouldn’t you know, I lucked out and the radio picked up that station. I’m going to be very fulfilled on the Christmas songs by the end of the season! I’m excited. I love this time of year. The trees, the lights, the feelings, the smells, the parties, the songs, everything! Well, maybe Shuttercal page. It’s very cool except when you go to order the photos, it’s like you order the previous month. When I first signed up I thought you were creating a daily calendar for the next year. Oh well, doubt I’ll order any but it’s pretty cool, take a peek… I’m on my 2nd month. Well much to do, much to do, guess I’ll quit typing and go find something else to do. btw has anyone ever noticed that the times that you “post” these doesn’t really go with the real-time. maybe it’s just me….. everything but personal property taxes due… but oh well… we have 2 missions in life, pay taxes and die but we won’t think about that.

So back to this whole snowing thing, one of the girls I work with, Nicole (no I’m not referring to myself in 3rd person… LOL) has these beautiful Hydrangea’s outside her window so I had to get a photo of them today. They must be a hardier flower than I thought.